1) A busy summer for OKNA

A few items of interest to Overlook residents:

OKNA continues to engage with the Hazelnut Grove homeless camp in a city-directed mediation process with the aim of developing a good neighbor agreement. We’ve had two sessions so far. The next is scheduled for a couple of weeks from now. We hope to have more updates in July as we make progress.

A delegation from OKNA will meet with leadership at Adidas next week to discuss concerns about employees parking in the neighborhood and opportunities for better engagement between the neighborhood and one of its biggest employers. We hope to have an update in a week or two.

The first OKNA general meeting at the Luck Lab on Killingsworth was a success. Neighbors socialized and asked questions about what’s going on Overlook. We’ll return to the Lab in July.

2) Events in and around Overlook this weekend

It’s a busy weekend for Overlook with multiple opportunities for residents to showcase the neighborhood and also have some fun while trying to forget about the heat.

The Brewfest in the Park is underway at Overlook Park. Stop by and sample some craft beer, food carts and more.

The 25th annual Good in the Hood multicultural music, arts and food festival kicked off on Friday with music and more. Given the horrible, racist threats made against this event, we hope that all residents will find time to attend and show their support for Portland’s African American Community. The festival runs Saturday and Sunday starting at 11 a.m. each day in Lillis Albina Park. On Saturday at 11, there will be a parade starting at King Elementary down Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and ending at the park.

The World Naked Bike Ride takes place on Saturday night. This year the ride will start at Fernill Park in Northeast, but the route remains secret. If you see some naked riders in Overlook on Saturday, don’t be shocked.

3) Spirit of Portland Awards accepting nominations

Celebrated since 1985, the Spirit of Portland Awards Ceremony is an important way for the City to recognize and celebrate those who make outstanding contributions to our community. Each year, there are roughly 20 winners in categories such as Community Leader of the Year, Neighborhood Association of the Year and the Making a Difference Award.

Nominations will be accepted until Aug. 14. If you know of an individual, group or neighborhood association that has helped make Portland a better place to live, work, study and play, please nominate them for one of the 2017 awards.

Starting Monday at 9 a.m., the two outside traffic lanes on the Broadway Bridge will close for a six-month project that will replace four large steel wheels that help open and close the drawbridge for ships to pass. The project will replace four original wheels and the tracks they roll on. The wheels and tracks are worn and cracked after a century of use. Each wheel is eight feet in diameter and weighs 88,000 pounds.

The two inside traffic lanes and both sidewalks will remain open at most times. Streetcar and bus service will continue during construction. Some weekend and night bridge closures will be needed to set up and remove traffic control, and bring in heavy equipment.

Reach Community Development will serve free and discounted summer meals at Patton Square Park again this year. The meals are free for all children and teens 18 years and younger and are available Mondays to Fridays noon-12:30 beginning June 26. (There will be no meal service on Tuesday, July 4.)

Adult meals are available for purchase for $4. Youth meals must be eaten in the park and cannot be shared with adults.